Can you ovulate without having your period?

Many women wonder: can I ovulate without menstruation? The short answer is yes, it's possible in certain specific cases . Normally, ovulation and menstruation are two linked phases of the menstrual cycle, but it can happen that ovulation occurs without menstruation following. This can be confusing, especially if you are tracking your cycle to conceive or avoid pregnancy. In this article, we will explain the difference between ovulation and menstruation , then examine situations where ovulation can occur without menstruation – such as breastfeeding, amenorrhea (absence of menstruation), polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), puberty, or perimenopause – and what this means for your fertility . You will also find tips to better understand your cycle and information on how Luna Glow solutions can support you in tracking your cycle and menstrual comfort.

Ovulation vs. menstruation: what's the difference?

To understand the subject properly, it is necessary to distinguish between ovulation and menstruation . These are two different events in the female cycle:

• Ovulation: This is the time when one of your ovaries releases a mature egg. This usually occurs around the middle of your cycle (often around day 14 of a 28-day cycle, although each woman is different). Ovulation is essential for pregnancy to be possible , because it is during the days surrounding ovulation that you are most fertile. If the egg is fertilized by a sperm, it can implant in the uterus and begin a pregnancy.

• Menstruation (period): This is the flow of blood and uterine tissue that marks the beginning of a new cycle. Menstruation occurs when the ovum has not been fertilized during the previous cycle. In the absence of pregnancy, the thickened uterine lining is no longer needed and sheds: this is menstrual bleeding. Menstruation generally occurs about 12 to 16 days after ovulation (luteal phase), and it signals that pregnancy has not occurred, hence the "reset" to zero of a new cycle.

In short, ovulation triggers the possibility of pregnancy, and menstruation only occurs if fertilization has not taken place . In a normal cycle, these two events follow one another: ovulation, then, without pregnancy, menstruation. However, nature is more complex than a regular pattern. There are anovulatory cycles , where menstruation occurs without ovulation (for example, under hormonal contraception or during certain hormonal imbalances), and conversely, situations where ovulation can occur without menstruation following . Let's see in what cases this can happen.

Ovulating without having your period: is it possible?

Yes, it's possible to ovulate without having had a period beforehand , and this phenomenon occurs in several situations in a woman's life. Remember that ovulation always precedes menstruation : if your period doesn't appear for a while, it's possible that ovulation occurs before menstruation returns. Therefore, the absence of a period doesn't always equate to the absence of ovulation . Here are the main cases where this can happen:

Breastfeeding (late postpartum bleeding)

Illustration: a young mother breastfeeding her baby, a period during which menstruation may be delayed.

After childbirth, it is common not to have a period for a few months, especially if breastfeeding exclusively . This is called lactational amenorrhea , a natural phenomenon where prolactin (the hormone of breastfeeding) blocks ovulation and prevents the return of menstruation. This method is used as natural contraception during the first few months, but it is not foolproof. Ovulation can indeed resume unpredictably during breastfeeding , even before the return of the first period. In other words, you can release an egg without having had your "postpartum period" yet . This is why it is recommended to use contraception while breastfeeding if you do not want another pregnancy, because ovulation occurs before menstruation . Many women are surprised by a positive pregnancy test when they have not had a period since giving birth – this happens precisely when ovulation has occurred "silently" during postpartum amenorrhea , resulting in a pregnancy without a prior return of menstruation.

Amenorrhea (absence of menstruation outside of pregnancy)

The term amenorrhea refers to the absence of menstruation for an extended period outside of pregnancy. In cases of amenorrhea, there is generally no ovulation – the body has paused the cycle for various reasons. Common causes of amenorrhea include significant stress , excessive weight loss or intense physical exercise, certain hormonal disorders (thyroid, hyperprolactinemia, etc.), or continuous use of hormonal contraceptives. As long as amenorrhea lasts, ovulation is often inhibited. For example, major stress can block the release of the ovum, and therefore menstruation does not occur that month. Similarly, being underweight can temporarily stop ovulation.

However, amenorrhea does not always equate to permanent infertility . Often, it is a reversible condition: once the cause is resolved (stress reduction, weight gain, medical treatment, etc.), the cycle can restart. The first ovulation will then mark the end of amenorrhea – and this ovulation can occur before the return of menstruation . In other words, as soon as your body is ready, it is possible that you will ovulate, and then your period will return about two weeks later... unless this ovulation leads to pregnancy, in which case your period would not appear at all. Therefore, if you do not wish to become pregnant, you must remain cautious even in the absence of prolonged periods: fertility without periods potentially exists, since an unexpected ovulation can occur.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is a frequent cause of irregular cycles or absence of menstruation in women of childbearing age. This hormonal syndrome often leads to chronic or intermittent anovulation : ovulations are rare and unpredictable, resulting in very long cycles (more than 35 days) or complete amenorrhea for several months. Many women with PCOS find that they can go months without menstruation. One might think that they cannot get pregnant without regular periods; but it's not that simple.

In reality, it is still possible to ovulate occasionally despite PCOS , even if the cycles are irregular. Sometimes, the body releases an egg unpredictably – for example, after 3 or 4 months without ovulation. If this ovulation occurs and no contraception is used, a pregnancy can begin (this is how many women discover they have PCOS, by noticing an unplanned pregnancy despite the absence of regular periods). Specialists specify that the vast majority of PCOS patients can achieve a spontaneous pregnancy, even if they do not ovulate regularly. Therefore, you should not lower your guard in terms of contraception if you do not plan to have a baby – absence of periods does not mean absence of risk of pregnancy . Conversely, if you wish to conceive but your periods are very irregular, talk to your doctor: treatments exist to stimulate ovulation in the context of PCOS.

Puberty (before the first period)

During puberty, the first menstrual cycles can be a little unusual. The first period (menarche) marks the entry into fertile life, but did you know that you can ovulate before your very first period ? Indeed, it's possible for the very first ovulation to occur even before the first menstruation . In this case, if the egg is not fertilized, you will have your first period about 2 weeks later. But if fertilization occurs (pregnancy), there will be no first period at all. It's rare, but it can happen: a young girl can become pregnant without ever having had a period . Specialists warn that, from the beginning of puberty, pregnancy is possible even before the first menstruation. In practice, the first cycles following puberty are often irregular and often anovulatory (no ovulation), while the hormonal axis is establishing itself. Nevertheless, a surprise ovulation can occur at any time as soon as the pubertal process is triggered. Therefore, contraceptive protection must be used from the first sexual intercourse, even before the first period, to avoid an unplanned pregnancy.

Perimenopause (premenopause)

As menopause approaches, ovulation becomes irregular. Perimenopause (or premenopause) refers to the few years preceding definitive menopause. During this period, irregular cycles and missed periods occur because the ovaries begin to tire. A woman may go several months without a period during perimenopause , suggesting ovulation has stopped... but be aware, as long as menopause is not confirmed (12 consecutive months without any menstruation), there is still a risk of occasional ovulation. Many women in premenopause believe they can no longer become pregnant due to the absence of periods, then are surprised by a late pregnancy. As long as occasional ovulations remain, natural pregnancy is still possible (even if fertility generally decreases). This is why doctors recommend continued protection until menopause is confirmed. If you are 45 years old or older and have prolonged absences of periods, it is more likely that this is related to the menopausal transition. Nevertheless, if in doubt, a pregnancy test is still indicated if you have had unprotected intercourse, as an unexpected ovulation can occur during this period of erratic cycles.

Ovulation without menstruation: what implications for fertility?

Is it possible to get pregnant without having a period?

Yes. As we have seen, whenever a "silent" ovulation occurs in the absence of menstruation, a pregnancy without a period can occur if intercourse took place at the right time. This has happened in breastfeeding women who have not yet resumed their cycles, in adolescent girls before their first period, or in women with amenorrhea or PCOS. The absence of menstruation does not offer 100% protection against pregnancy – at least not beyond the first few strictly breastfeeding postpartum months. Therefore, ovulation without a period = ovulation nonetheless , and therefore the possibility of conception. The sperm doesn't care whether you've had your period or not: if an ovum is released and meets viable sperm, the magic (or surprise) can happen.

On the other hand, if you are trying to conceive and your periods are absent or very irregular, this usually indicates an ovulation problem that needs to be addressed. In cases of prolonged amenorrhea or PCOS, ovulation is infrequent and it can be difficult to predict when it will occur. In this case, don't hesitate to talk to a healthcare professional about your concerns. They will be able to identify the cause of the absence of periods and offer support (for example, treatments to restore ovulation). The good news is that, as mentioned, even without periods for a long time, many women manage to become pregnant after spontaneous ovulation or with medical assistance . Keep hope and don't hesitate to seek advice to maximize your chances of pregnancy if that is your desire.

How to detect ovulation without regular cycles?

When you don't have your period, it's harder to know when you're ovulating. However, there are a few signs and methods to detect ovulation, even if it's infrequent:

• Basal body temperature: Taking your body temperature every morning can help to retrospectively identify ovulation (a slight rise in temperature upon waking indicates that ovulation has occurred, but only afterwards ). This can confirm that you have ovulated if your period doesn't arrive and you are wondering why.

• Cervical mucus: Observe the changes in your cervical mucus over time. Clear, stretchy mucus (like "raw egg white") usually indicates the fertile period just before ovulation. If you notice this type of mucus even in the absence of menstruation, be vigilant: your ovulation could be imminent.

• Urine ovulation tests: these tests, available at pharmacies, detect the LH (luteinizing hormone) surge that precedes ovulation. If your cycles are irregular or absent, you can use them periodically to avoid missing a potential ovulation peak.

• Various symptoms: some women experience mild ovarian pain (mittelschmerz) at the time of ovulation, or notice breast tenderness and increased libido during the ovulatory phase. These are not foolproof signs, but by listening to your body, you may be able to detect these ovulation cues.

In the absence of menstruation, vigilance is essential. If you do not wish to become pregnant , continue to use contraception until the cause of amenorrhea has been identified and treated, as unexpected ovulation can occur at any time . If, on the contrary, you wish to have a child , do not lose hope: monitor these signs and seek medical advice for support. Many women have experienced the joy of pregnancy after a long period without periods, either spontaneously or through fertility treatment.

Live your cycle better with Luna Glow: menstrual tracking and comfort.

Even when your cycles are all over the place, it's important to listen to your body and take care of yourself. Luna Glow offers solutions to support you in this process. For example, you can keep a cycle tracking journal where you note your feelings (even without a period, note your physical or emotional symptoms each month: this can reveal signs of ovulation or hormonal fluctuations). At the same time, Luna Glow products provide menstrual comfort and well-being throughout your cycle. Whether you have your period or not, you deserve to feel good: a hot water bottle or heating belt to soothe ovarian pain, soft and eco-friendly menstrual underwear for the return of your period or light bleeding, or even soothing natural care products… Luna Glow is committed to helping you live your femininity in a more serene and natural way.

In short, ovulating without having a period is possible in several life situations (breastfeeding, amenorrhea, PCOS, puberty, perimenopause). This underlines the importance of not considering the absence of periods as a contraceptive guarantee – a surprise ovulation can happen quickly. Conversely, if your periods are slow to return and you wish to conceive, remember that ovulation can occur at any time: pay attention to the signs and seek medical advice if necessary. Take care of your body, stay informed… and trust yourself. Each woman is unique in relation to her cycle , and understanding what is happening within oneself is already a big step towards fulfillment. Luna Glow is here to help you, offering listening, expertise and products designed for your cyclical well-being. Happy journey towards a more harmonious cycle!